NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH – Police returned to the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez at approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday in continuance of a homicide investigation, but left after knocking on the door brought no response.

After police searched Hernandez's home Tuesday night, Wednesday so far has brought significantly less activity. Hernandez and his girlfriend were seen leaving in a white SUV Wednesday morning, and an unidentified woman, who arrived at the residence around 10:40 in a silver Nissan Juke with the license plate HERNDZ, walked into the house carrying a dog in a crate. She left at approximately 12:40 p.m. and later returned with a man who appeared to be Hernandez.

Hernandez has been questioned as police investigate the death of a 27-year-old Dorchester resident identified by his family as Odin Lloyd. According to WBZ Boston, Lloyd, who played football for the semi-pro Boston Bandits, dated the sister of Hernandez's girlfriend.

Sports Illustrated has reported that Hernandez is not viewed as a suspect in the investigation, but according to The Sun Chronicle newspaper, a 2013 Chevrolet Suburban rented from Enterprise under Hernandez's name has emerged as a vehicle of interest.

Police continued to search the area around Hernandez's home and reportedly found a gun in a wooded area alongside a road near where Lloyd's body was found Monday evening. The weapon is not believed to be the one used in his murder.

Hernandez found himself embroiled in more controversy when a TMZ report, later confirmed by SI, surfaced Wednesday afternoon alleging the Patriots tight end was recently sued after shooting an associate in the face.

The report states that June 13, Alexander S. Bradley filed a civil complaint against Hernandez in U.S. District Court alleging Hernandez shot him in the face and caused the loss of his right eye.

According to the suit, Hernandez and Bradley had an argument at Tootsie’s strip club in Miami and the gun went off when Hernandez, Bradley and others were returning to Palm Beach. Hernandez was not licensed to carry the gun.

The suit was dropped Monday due to an error in the paperwork. David Jaroslawicz, one of the attorneys for Bradley, told USA TODAY Sports it will be refiled Wednesday.

Bradley claims to have undergone multiple surgeries around his right eye and is seeking $100,000 in damages.

Requests for comment from Hernandez's representatives have not been returned.